Communication system for drive-in establishments



April 1951 E. c. DUNN ETAL 2,549,676

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENTS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 1 Q l /3 J v INVENTORS Earl C Dunn, Gem-ye 'L. Lowman Hildlgldfl. Lockharfi ATTORN F. "r'

INVENTORS 9e L. Lowman 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Earl C. Dunn ildreg B. Lac/thaw? QQMQAL Sum ATTORN EY E. C. DUNN ET AL NT J I COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENTS April 17,1951

Filed Sept. 16, 1949 LQQ Patented Apr. 17, 1 951 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR; DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENTS Earl C. Dunn, George L. Lowman, and Hildred B. Lockhart, Corpus Christi, Tex.

Application September 16, 1949, Serial No. 116,014

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in drive-in stands or systems, which terms are applied to places of business where cars (i. e., automobiles) are driven; to car parking stations and the occupants receive service from attendants. The invention relates particularly to such systems which provide entertainment and service facilities for the occupants of cars at various car parking stations; the service facilities including an arrangement for. the delivery of food or other refreshments from a central control or serving station to the patrons in. the parked cars.

Drive-in stands of the above-mentioned character have been providedwherein cars may park at stations and the occupants or. patrons may order food and other refreshments. With such systems entertainment may be provided by amplifiers appropriately positioned with respect to the parking stations. The present invention relates to systems of the general type referred to above, and incorporates certain improvements wherein more and improved services are provided in a dependable and eiiicient manner. At the same time, systems incorporating the present invention avoid certain difficulties which have been encountered with similar systems in the past.-

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a system wherein improved entertainment and service facilities are made available to the patrons or occupants of cars at drive-in systems and the like. A further object is to accomplish the above with an arrangeinent which requires a minimum amount of supervisory control. A still further object is to provide, an improved system for servicing patrons and at the same time providing entertainment for them These and other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out below.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic representationof 'a system representing one embodiment ofv the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspectiveview of theequipment at acar parking station in the system of Figure 1; and

Figure v3 is asimplified schematic wirin diagram of one complete operating unit of the communication and control system of Figure 1.

As indicated above, service stands have been provided of the drive-in type wherein patrons may drivev to car parking stations and wait in entertainment, for example, by loud speakers positioned at appropriate places. The present invention relates to systems of this general type, and in the illustrative embodiment the service provided includes the delivery of food or other refreshments to the patrons. The serv: ice also includes entertainment transmitted to each car by a speaker microphone unit, and; this speaker microphone unit is also utilized as part'of a communication system between the car and the central, control or serving station. The arrangement is such that when not in use the speaker microphone units rest on posts adjacent the respective car parking stations within reach of the occupants of the cars when theyare parked at the stations.

a pair of speaker microphone units are mounted on each post. The post is so positioned that when a car is parked properly Within either of its car parking stations, the car occupants may easily reach thespeaker microphone unit; this tends to insure proper parking of the cars.

As indicated above, the commun cations system provides entertainment programs at the car parking stations and at the same time, an occupant of any car may set up the talking circuits between his car parking stations and the central station. The setting up of the talking circuit to the central station is accomplished by pushing a button on, the speaker microphone unit; this energizes a talking circuit relay which disconnects that speaker microphone unit from a the entertainment program circuit, and connects the speaker microphone unit to a plug-in panel at the central station Simultaneously, a signal I light is turned on-which indicates to the operator that that particular car parking station has requested service, and the operator then connects his speaking and receiving set through the panel to the car parking station which has requested service. order from the patron and turns it over to the appropriate people for preparation and for delivery by an attendant. The operator then pushes a button which deenergizes the talking circuit relay so as to connect the speaker microphone unit again to the entertainment program circuit. 7 I

It should be noted that the patron has no control over the returnin of his speaker microphone unitto the entertainment program cir cuit; that is, when once a'patron has decided to place an order, the operator assumes control,

and disconnects the talking circuit only when Each post has twocar parking stations adjacent it and, therefore,v

The operator then takes the he has obtained complete information regarding the order. The operator is also provided with switching arrangements whereby he may interrupt the entertainment program and set up a talking circuit with any one of the speaker microphone units. Thus, if he has taken an order and finds that he needs additional information or instructions from the patron, he may obtain it. Another important feature is that the system includes facilities for making a, general announcement to all of the speaker microphone units. In this way, 'the general supervisory control of the entire system is in the operator, but the system operates automatically, except to the extent that this supervisory control is exercised. Furhermore, any patron may place an order at any time, and under normal circumstances the entertainment program is interrupted only for a short period of time. The entertainment program may be music or vocal, originating, for example, from a studio or from a radio receiver.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, a central control station 2 has a control panel 4, where an operator is stationed, and restaurant and bar facilities, where food and other refreshments are prepared in response to orders received. Adjacent the control station 2 is a parking space wherein a large number of car parking stations are located. The car parking stations are in pairs along lines of underground cable indicated in broken lines at 6, and between the stations of each pair there is a post 8 (see also Figure 2) upon the top of which there is a frame 9 which provides a mounting for two speaker microphone units [0. Frame 9 has two recesses or pockets II which snugly receive the speaker microphone units, and mounted flush with the bottom wall of each of these pockets is a cut-out unit I2 which is described in detail below and which renders the speaker microphone unit inoperative when it is positioned in its pocket.

Each speaker microphone unit is connected to the remainder of the communications system through an extension cable I3 which may be drawn from frame 9 to pull the speaker microphone unit into a car, and each of the speaker microphone units has at its top a supporting hook I4 which is hooked over the top of the car window or onto any other convenient means of support. When the speaker microphone unit is being returned to its pocket ll, cable I3 is drawn into the frame by a reel (not shown). The front wall of the speaker microphone unit carries a push button l5 which is depressed by the patron or occupant of the car when hewishes to place an order, and, as indicated above, this disconnects the speaker microphone unit from the entertainment program circuit and signals the operator at the central station. Thus, when a car is driven into the parking area, the driver selects a vacant car parking station and parks his car in it; he then reaches from the window of the car and lifts the speaker microphone unit from its pocket and pulls the unit into the car. This operation causes the unit to start operating as an am lifier on the entertainment program circuit; thereafter, the car occupant depresses button l5 at any time that he decides to place an order.

Mounted on the top of frame 9 by a post or bracket is a light box H which is formed by, a metal frame with sheet metal bottom and end walls, a hinged sheet metal lid l9, and side walls formed by panes of glass 2|. Mounted on the end walls within the box there are four electric lights 23, and at the side edges of each of the panes 2! there are clips 25 which form releasable mounting means for transparent or translucent cards or signs, such as bills of fare or announcement cards. With cards thus mounted on the opposite sides of the box, the light from the inside of the box illuminates them so that they may be read by the car occupants. In each end wall there is a window 2'! having red glass bulls eye therein which is also illuminated and acts as a marker for the post.

The communications system is shown in Figure 3 in somewhat schematic and fragmentary form, it being understood that it is unnecessary to duplicate identical circuit units where there are a number. Thus, the circuit for only one speaker microphone unit is shown, although two others are indicated schematically, and the system includes a large number, that is, one for each of the car parking stations. Referring to the upper left-hand portion of Figure 3, a speaker microphone unit l0 includes a speaker unit 20, which is adapted to operate also as a microphone, a transformer 22, and the signal switch 15 re ferred to above. Adjacent this unit I0 is the cutout unit l2 formed by a switch 24 which has its armature 25 spring-urged up so that it engages a contact 26, but the armature may be lowered into engagement with a contact 28 by engaging a button 30, and a resistor 32.

Three lines 34, 36 and 38 extend through a cable to the speaker microphone unit from a relay 46 which is the talking circuit relay referred to above, the energization of which sets up the talking circuit. Line 36 is connected to one side of the input to the speaker microphone unit and also to one side of resistor 32, and line 38 is connected to the armature 25 of switch 24. Thus, with the armature raised as shown, lines 36 and 38 are connected to the input terminals of the speaker microphone unit, and the unit is therefore adapted to operate either as a speaker microphone in the talking circuit or as a speaker to transmit the entertainment program. When the button 30 is depressed so that the armature of the switch engages contact 28, lines 36 and 38 are connected across resistor 32, the impedance of which matches that of the speaker microphone unit. Thus, with the armature in its lower position, the speaker microphone unit is inoperative, but the overall impedance of the circuit of lines 36 and 38 is unchanged. Line 34 is connected to one side of switch I5, the other side of which is grounded so that the closing of this switch connects line 34 to ground and, as will be explained below, this is effective to energize relay 40.

Relay 40 has four switch armatures 42, 44 and 46 and 48, all of which are connected by an insulated armature rod 50 to an operating armature 52, which has a surrounding solenoid 54.

Armature 52 is shown in lower position and when the solenoid is energized it lifts the armature. Armature 48 has a lower contact 56 and an upper contact 58, while armature 46 has a lower contact 60 and an upper contact 62; armature" hasonly an upper contact 64, and armature 42 has only an upper contact 66. Contacts 56 and 60 are connected to two lines 68 and 10 which extend to the amplifier 14 of the entertainment program unit '12 referred to above. Amplifier 14 is connected through a double-pole, doublethrow switch 15 to, either a transmitter 16 or a program source", indicated as .music and voice:

into engagement with:,their upper contacts B2 and 58. Contacts 58 and 62areconnectedne- .s'pectively to a pair of lines ;.80;a n d 82---which extend to-a; plug jack 84-; on the operators; panel ,referred to above. This plug jack is-adapted to receive -a plug BG-Which isthe-plug on the op- ..erators speaking andlistening-set 1B9 and is ;-connected thereto bya pair, of lines 88-;and 90.

Lines 88 -..and a 90 extend from a plug '86 -to..-a .pairflof armatures-SI and-92 ofpa relay 8'lg hav- ;ing ,a solenoid 1-93 ,and an armature -94 mechanically connected, to lift the; armatures from the lowered position shown-to the raised position rwhengsolenoidt93; is energized. Oneside of sole- .noid 93.,is connected to ground andthe other side is connected .to one-sideofanormallyopen; manual switch:9,5,. the other side of ,which is connected to a source of direct current of .28 volts which has Oneside, grounded. Relay 8'I :has bottomcontacts ,at-and 91,.which are con- 7 nested through a;. pair. .of lines to; an ampl fier v98 which hasits. output side connected to-a speaker I; andthe relay hasna pair of upper contacts I02 ,and I04 which are connected-rte the amplifier I06 for a microphone .IOB. Thus. when the relay 8? is deenergized, lines 88: and-90 ,are connected .to the 1 speaker 100, but when ,switch .95 is closed, solenoid 93 is energized and the armatures of the relay are lifted soas to connect lines 88 and. 90 tothe amplifier IOBL-of the microphone I08. In this way the closing of manual I switch -95 converts the speaking and listening'set 89 from operation as -a speakento operation as i a microphone.

Assuming that relay 40 is-energized and the plug,.86 is insertedinjack 84, set.;89--is connected through lines 88 and .90, plug 86. jack 84 and lines 80 and-82 toy-contacts 58 and 62 of relay-.40; and, thence-.through armatures 48 and 46,,and 1 lines ;38 and .36 1:130 the speaker microphone, unit I0. With this circuit completed, any signals originating at th-is speaker microphone unitare transmitted to speaker II!!! which is positioned infront of the operator. Then, when the operator wishes to speak, he closes switch 95 which connects the-microphone I08 to this circuit, and his voice signals ,aretransmitted. to .the speaker microphone unit I0.

,Relay,40';has a lock-in circuit so thatrpwhen zon n r z d it. renta l .v inrt i tz d ioni nt the. panel in front, of the, operator.

. 6 tholdsettheg solenoid energized even though switch '-..is reopened. The operator ,jthen -may deenergize the, relay and. restore. the: circuit: to the -condition-1shown..by.1opening the ffoff switch It has been indicated, above that: the operator may set up the talking r circuit to any;speaker ,microphone unitat; any time, Accordingly, the operator, may energize relay'40 at any ,timeby 1ov closing, a normally open -on switch IMwhich 'has one ,side grounded-and has. its other-side connected to line 34. This switch II4 isv in ,paralleliw-ith switch I5, and its closingenergizes .the: relayfl wrinithe same way. Positioned adjacent the oiffland on switch Ill), and ,II4 on the operators panel is an indicating light IIB whichis connected at one side to the source of powerat line-'83, and at the other side to contact 64,. which is engaged by armature 44 when -the armature israised armature 44 is grounded and,.therefore, when it is raised it connects ,theindicatinglight H5 across the source of potential and energizes the light. This light ,is positionedbehind va number in a transparent window Ill and indicates to the operator the location of .theflspeaker microphone unitwhich has signalled for service.

Asindicated above, eachof the speaker microphone units has a relay 40, and two additional 36 of these relays being indicated on the drawing without repeating the circuit connections. In the actual physical structure, the jack 84, switches I I0 and H4, and the window H1 and light II6 for eachocar parking station, are in, alignment on Thus, when a, patron at any one ofthe car parking stations wishes service, he presses a button I5 andtheappropriate. light lvlfigoes on. .The operatorimmediatelyinserts his plug into ,the proper jack,

.iw presseshis button to close his switch 95, and

,asks the patron what he wishes; the operator then writes the, order and. identifies it by the correct park-ing station number .on the e-lighted window I I I. The order is then prepared and dis- 4; patched by an attendant to the designated car parking station. Under somecircumstances, two

. or more operators may answer calls simultaneously, although a patron is not materially inconvenienced if he mustwait for a brief period after 50 he has pressedhis button. I5 before he is given an opportunity to place his order.

The speaker microphone units I0 includespeakers .120 -which are adapted .to operate in reverse asmicrophones. ,Thisterm speaker. microphone unit as used, applies ,also ,to units wherein ;..a

imiorophone s .p isi whic Wil ac Il-:, Ve. f@ as a speaker; and, also,,,to; an,assemblywhich ,includ esa speaker and aseparate microphone. The illustrative embodiment of theinvention -is adapted toprovide refreshments such as'are avai1- able from a restaurant and'a bar. Certain aspects of the invention are applicable to' other systems wherein othertypes of service and goods ;such,as-;grpceries for other merchandise may be ri-9l i As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore 7 set forth, or shown in the accompany drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a drive-in system, the combination of,

means constitutinga plurality of car parking sta- :tions, means constituting a central station, and

a communication system which includes means forming an entertainment program circuit to each of the car parking stations and having means associated therewith to disconnect the entertainment program circuit to any particular car parking station and to set up a talking circuit between that car parking station and the central station, said communication system also including means at the central station to disconnect the talking circuit and re-connect the entertainment program circuit.

2. In a drive-in system, a communication system which includes, a plurality of microphone and speaker arrangements comprising one at each of a plurality of car parkin stations, means forming an entertainment program circuit normally connected to said microphone and speaker arrangements, means adapted to establish a talking circuit with any one of said microphone and speaker arrangements, and control means including a switch associated with each of said microphone and speaker arrangements whereby a patron may disconnect the entertainment program circuit and establish a talking circuit, said control means also including means at the control station to disconnect said talking circuit and reestablish the circuit of the entertainment program.

3. In a drive-in system, the combination of, a plurality of speaker microphone units positioned respectively at different car parking stations, a program circuit at a central station, a talking and receiving unit at said central station, a plurality of relays respectively cnnect-' ing said speaker microphone units to said program unit or selectively to said talking and receiving unit, and control means for said relays including switches located at said speaker microphone units which are adapted to operate the respective relays so as to disconnect that speaker microphone unit from the program unit and connect it to the talking and receiving unit, said control means also including switching means available to the operator to operate said relays and restore the circuits between the program unit and the respective speaker microphone units.

4. A system as described in claim 3 wherein,

said speaker microphone units are in pairs, and

each pair is positioned on a post between two car parking stations.

5. A system as described in claim 4 which includes, a cut-out unit associated with each of said speaker microphone units which is eiiective to deenergize each speaker microphone unit when it is positioned on its post.

simultaneously with the setting up of a talking circuit through the relay, said lock-in circuit including a normally closed switch which may be opened by the operator to break said lock-in circuit.

8. A system as described in claim 7 which includes, switch means accessible to the operator to energize said relays selectively.

9. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said entertainment program unit includes, means constituting a source of an entertainment program and a microphone connectable for alternative use.

10. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said talking and receiving unit includes, a speaker and a microphone and a relay to energize them alternatively.

11. In a drive-in system, a communication system which includes a program circuit by which an entertainment program is transmitted from 'a' central station to each of a plurality of car parking stations, said communication system including, means to set up a talking circuit between each of said car parking stations and the central station, control means operable from the respective car parking stations to disconnect the program circuit at that car parking station and establish the talking circuit between that car parking station and the central station, and control means at the central station to disconnect any one of said talking circuits and v to reestablish the respective program circuit connections.

12. In a system of the character described, the combination of, means constituting a plurality of patron stations at each of which one or more patrons may be located for purposes of being entertained and bing served refreshments or the like, means constituting a central station, and a communication system which includes means forming an entertainment program circuit to each of the patron stations and having means REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,054,933 Frazier Apr. 22, 1936 2,463,339 Wetzel Mar. 1, 1949 2,469,986 Phyfe May 10, 1949 

